An Caoineadh from CAOIN by Ceara Conway
Also known as ‘’Lament for a Dead Child ‘’, I first heard and learnt this pre-Christian lament from the well-known singer Nóirín Ní Riain. In 2015 I invited Noirín to perform this song with me as part of a series of contemporary public lamentations called ‘’Making Visible ‘’ about the Direct Provision System in Ireland. The lament is strong and pure in its expression of the loss of a mother grieving the death of her child. For this track Francesco Turrisi creates a stunning accompaniment using the inside/ soundboard of a piano.
Born in the Connemara Gaeltacht, visual artist and multi lingual singer Ceara Conway has gained recognition for her singing in traditional repertoires across cultures Portuguese, Arabic song, Georgian Chant with a core focus on Irish traditional sean nós.